Malloreddus (Italy)

An authentic recipe for traditional Sardinian Malloreddus pasta, highlighting hand-shaped semolina pasta smothered in a rich sausage and saffron sauce.

Level Medium Prep 45 min Cook 30 min Servings 4 Score 4.9/10

Ready in

75 min

Makes 4 servings

Prep 45m

Cook 30m

Level Medium

About this recipe

An authentic recipe for traditional Sardinian Malloreddus pasta, highlighting hand-shaped semolina pasta smothered in a rich sausage and saffron sauce.

Traditional Sardinian gnocchetti sardi served in a savory sausage and saffron tomato sauce.

Instructions

In a large bowl, mix the semolina flour and salt. Gradually add warm water and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Roll the dough into thin ropes, cut into small pieces (about 1 cm), and press each piece over a gnocchi board or the back of a wicker basket to form the characteristic ridged shell shape.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until soft and translucent.
Add the crumbled pork sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and the steeped saffron water. Simmer on low heat for 20 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Cook the Malloreddus pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, then drain and reserve a little pasta water.
5 min
Toss the pasta directly into the sausage sauce, adding a splash of pasta water if needed, and mix well.
Serve hot, generously topped with freshly grated Pecorino Sardo cheese.

Nutrition

Calories 480

Protein 22g

Carbs 65g

Fat 15g

Fiber 4g

Sugar 5g

Sodium 680mg

Serving Size 1 serving

Cooking Timeline

Prep 45 min

Cook 30 min

Total 75 min

Recipe Scorecard

Overall 9.4 /10

Expert 4.9 95% conf.

Taste 9.7
Presentation 9.2
Nutrition 8.0
Value 9.0
Instructions 9.4
Ingredients 9.5
Time Accuracy 9.0
Difficulty 7.5
Would Make Again 9.0

Expert Review

Reviewed by FindEdition Kitchen

Verdict

A magnificent taste of Sardinia featuring rich sausage sauce, aromatic saffron, and uniquely textured pasta.

Pros

Authentic regional flavor
Delicious texture combination
Rich and comforting sauce

Cons

Shaping pasta requires time and patience

Overview

Traditional Sardinian gnocchetti sardi served in a savory sausage and saffron tomato sauce.

AI Insights

Summary

An authentic recipe for traditional Sardinian Malloreddus pasta, highlighting hand-shaped semolina pasta smothered in a rich sausage and saffron sauce.

Tips

Press firmly with your thumb when rolling the pasta dough over the gnocchi board to create deep ridges that capture the sauce
Do not skip the saffron; it adds the distinct aromatic signature flavor traditional to Sardinian cuisine
Use authentic Pecorino Sardo or Pecorino Romano for the sharpest, most authentic cheese finish